POOL New / Reuters
In spite of tensions with Egypt over its recent crackdown on democracy support groups, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will issue a national security waiver allowing $1.3 billion in foreign military financing to flow again to the Cairo government, a senior State Department official told CNN.
Secretary Clinton, a senior State Department official confirmed, will certify Friday to Congress that Egypt is meeting its obligations under its peace treaty with Israel. In addition, "on the basis of America's national security interests," the official said, "she will waive legislative conditions related to Egypt's democratic transition."
The decision not to affirm that Egypt's military leadership is transitioning to civilian rule sparked immediate outcry on Capital Hill but the State Department official said Egypt is moving forward.
"On the democracy side, Egypt has made more progress in 16 months than in the last 60 years," the official said in explaining Clinton's decision.
"Yet Egypt's transition to democracy is not yet complete," the official added, and more work remains to protect universal rights and freedoms, and the role of NGOs and civil society."
The funds are not given in cash; all the money goes to U.S. firms with contracts to supply U.S. military and defense equipment, weapons, training and services to Egypt.
"These decisions reflect our overarching goal: to maintain our strategic partnership with an Egypt made stronger and more stable by a successful transition to democracy. "
Even before the State Department official revealed Clinton's decision, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, criticized it, saying he was "disappointed."
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